Meet Nicole Vazquez | Professional Dancer & Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Vazquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, what do you attribute your success to?
Consistency. The thing about being a freelance dancer is that things are always changing. You can be solid booked one week and then the next not have a single job, but you have to keep pushing through. You have to keep believing that you are succeeding. Keep training, keep doing the things you did to get where you are. Of course also, celebrate the little successes and enjoy the process along the way. You can’t ever think, “when I do x,y&z, I’ll finally be happy and celebrate”, no. You have to celebrate all of your accomplishments and really live in the moment. Sometimes in this industry, you try and mold yourself into what you think everyone wants you to be, but the most beautiful thing is when you can just be unapologetically you. Don’t let the world put you in a box, you’re so much bigger than that. The reason why consistency helped me so much is that it taught me discipline. It taught me that no matter what the world threw my way, that I had a plan and nothing would stop that. I started to hold myself accountable for my own life and my own happiness. I stopped relying on other people or a job to give me happiness and I began to give it to myself. Please remember that you always have the power to take back your power!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been dancing since I was a little girl. I was trained in all different styles and competed in various competitions, but honestly my life completely changed once I left NY and moved to Miami in 2017. I left my family, my friends and everything I had known to come to a new city and basically start over. I knew I had to work extra hard, because I had to make connections with the industry that others had already made for years. I had to build a support system down here because my loved ones were so far away and I was extremely vulnerable. Being a dancer in Miami or in general was never easy, but more of a learning process. I felt like I was finally getting the hang of things and then the pandemic happened and I realized that I didn’t even know myself before at all. I was in a relationship that really drained me and I was very unhappy. So throughout quarantine I dove headfirst into finding myself and surrounded myself with people who truly cared about me. I realized that I’m so much more than “just a dancer”. The biggest challenge was finding my happiness and being confident with where I am in life. I was always awaiting the next big gig, even sometimes while I was working one. I was never fully satisfied because there was something so much deeper within that was unbalanced. I am so proud now, because I am able to take every ounce of my success and enjoy it now. I know there is still such a long way to go, but for all of my performers out there, please take time for yourself. Learn about what makes you happy and enjoy the process. Don’t be scared of the “no’s” because there will be a lot. Embrace them and realize that it’s just redirecting you to something that will align more with your purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Miami is such a vibrant place and that’s one of the main reasons I love living here, there’s always so much to do! Some of my favorite places are Wynwood, because there’s so many outdoor bars and being a dancer, I need some room to dance. There’s a lot of beautiful rooftops to visit (we all love a view) and of course the beach!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My whole support system. My parents, first and foremost. My mom has been my number one supporter through everything. From driving me to and from dance lessons, cheering me on in everything. My dad, he was my first dance teacher. I’ll never forget him teaching me salsa in our living room. I know he was always a little unsure of my career choice, but he truly embraces it now and gets so happy when I show him what I’m working on. I couldn’t do any of this without them! My siblings, family members, my friends. I would be nothing without them. They truly uplift me and help me out so much by just being such beautiful beings. I am honestly so blessed to have the people in my life that I do, I know a lot of people don’t have a lot of support going after my dreams, so I know I am so blessed.

Instagram: Nicoleemariexo

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCSkF069gsTtM4h0CYHaF5GQ

Image Credits
@Jamalshootstoo @solidvibez @viviimage @marlonalvarado_